Friday, October 31, 2014

La miseria ama la compañía

The Cuba-Venezuela Comprehensive Agreement is
celebrating its 14th anniversary, implementing a
variety of social programs throughout the entire
country, key among which are those of public health
and education. Over this period, mutually beneficial
economic and social projects have been developed,
guided by the spirit of their creators: historic
leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro and
former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

On
October 30, 2000, both dignitaries signed the
Caracas Agreement, resulting in the expansion of
bilateral relations.

A $15 grocery run has cost two single mothers from Colombia 48 days
in jail — and the threat of a 14 year prison sentence — as a result of a
crackdown on smuggling in Venezuela that’s ratcheting up tensions and
highlighting growing economic distortions between the neighbors.

Jenifer
Rojas and Belsy Alvarez were arrested in early September by Venezuela’s
national guard walking out of a supermarket in the western city of San
Cristobal with bags of pasta, mayonnaise and other staples that are
heavily subsidized in Venezuela and whose sale is restricted to the
country’s residents.

Along with the cashier who rang up their
purchases, they face charges of smuggling and violating the socialist
government’s new law of fair prices, whose penalties include 10 to 14
years in jail.